I have been looking for a DIY for changing the pads on a F10.
I found a terrrific one about the six series on one of the forums.
But, although very detailed, allready a model generation older than F10.
Till now I found nothing published, not even on youtube.
Are there special things to considder when doing this yourself, or do you need special tools?
Any insight would be well appreciated.

Just from looking at Yorgi's DIY on the 6 series, I have to believe that the procedure for the F10 is similar. The F10 uses the same single-piston sliding caliper design. I haven't attempted this on the F10 as the brakes here are covered under maintenance warranty. I have changed the brakes on many different cars, and for the most part the operation is basically the same. He lays out the BMW specific idiosyncrasies such as not greasing the guide pins, but if you have done this on other cars before, then you already have all the tools necessary, there are no special tools required. What is required is the torque settings, especially if you are going to change the rotors. Getting this info can be slightly tricky, since the model is so new, I don't think the Bentley manual is out yet, which would solve a lot of guessing.

Thanks Gato.
I read the TIS for the former generation cars as well. And yorgi's DIY is sublime.
Somewhere on a European forum there has been a remark about not being able to slide back the piston without the aid of controlling the brake system by computer? It is quite gibberish info on that forum and one does not reply, this guy put back his old pads and took his car to the dealer after his attempt to DIH.
I never have seen any system like that but might the F10 have some kind of computer regulated valve sytem which prefent opening a wide enough place for the new pads?
I have not found it yet and I could not track anybody who describes the pad renewal on a F10. So my remainig question is can I slide back the brake piston without any computer help?

As I mentioned in my post, the only way BMW lists to retract the electronic part is to hook the car up to the dealers BMW ISTA computer

You sound very sure that there are no other tools than the BMW computer.
And for sure that will be the information given by BMW.
If you do not mind I'll search along for another means, I hope you do not mind?
Some other questions:
How about the Bosch service center?
Will they allready know how to retract the system?
What is the built of the back brakes are they from TRW?

You sound very sure that there are no other tools than the BMW computer.
And for sure that will be the information given by BMW.
If you do not mind I'll search along for another means, I hope you do not mind?
Some other questions:
How about the Bosch service center?
Will they allready know how to retract the system?
What is the built of the back brakes are they from TRW?

Sorry, I was only referring to your "hidden menu" question.
According to BMW technical literature there is none and they say the car has to be connected to ISTA to do the brake job.

But as you said, places like BOSCH Service centers may have the software.
All we can hope for for DIY jobs is that the Places that sell DIY OBD tools like Bavarian Technic have the correct software to activate the service function of the brakes

Unfortunately they are making DIY work very difficult
Please keep searching and keep us informed on what you find

All we can hope for for DIY jobs is that the Places that sell DIY OBD tools like Bavarian Technic have the correct software to activate the service function of the brakes

Unfortunately they are making DIY work very difficult
Please keep searching and keep us informed on what you find

Okay, thanks.
Spoken of the Idrive hidden menu, after the last SW update I can not enter in it, could you give the sequence for that?
And what do you think of the TRW Easycheck, I still have to verify it will work on the F10.

I'm new to BMW - I have a 520d M sport F11 or order with lots of options. I currently drive a Ford Galaxy with Many options including Full Leather, Panoramic Glass Roof, Active Cruise Control (Radar), Interactive Variable Damper Control, Adaptive headlights and cornering lights, DVD SatNav with large Touch Screen, Voice Control, 3 Zone Climate Control, Heated and Ventilated Seats, Bluetooth, Tyre Pressure Monitors, ESP, HLA, MP3 and CD Changer, Dimming Rear View Mirrors etc.... but it also has an electric Handbrake. You can connect it to the ford computer to release the Electric Handbake but there is also a procedure which involves only the the handbrake button and the Throttle, by doing the correct sequence of the handbrake button and throttle to maximum and minimum the Brake is released. So if Ford can do it why not BMW?

I'm new to BMW - I have a 520d M sport F11 or order with lots of options. I currently drive a Ford Galaxy with Many options including Full Leather, Panoramic Glass Roof, Active Cruise Control (Radar), Interactive Variable Damper Control, Adaptive headlights and cornering lights, DVD SatNav with large Touch Screen, Voice Control, 3 Zone Climate Control, Heated and Ventilated Seats, Bluetooth, Tyre Pressure Monitors, ESP, HLA, MP3 and CD Changer, Dimming Rear View Mirrors etc.... but it also has an electric Handbrake. You can connect it to the ford computer to release the Electric Handbake but there is also a procedure which involves only the the handbrake button and the Throttle, by doing the correct sequence of the handbrake button and throttle to maximum and minimum the Brake is released. So if Ford can do it why not BMW?

After looking at this thread and searching everywhere else, I resigned myself to the fact that it would have to go to the dealer for the rear brake pads doing. Car is an 12mth old F11 520 auto, with 28k miles on the clock.

The dealer confirmed that the car needed to be connected to the ISTA to retract the electromechanical parking brake.

The damage? £250.00 exactly at Sytner Nottingham . Took them 90 mins and I drank as much coffeee as I could, and used up all their internet for the privilege :-)

Not shure it has to be done at a bmw garage.
Is this electrical brake system not also on VAG cars like the widespread Volkswagens?
So one might assume other garages can deliver this service.
The parts alone cost around €90.
One and a half hour labour would be €100.
So you drank coffee and used internet for around €140.
Not bad, hope you enjoyed it!

28k seems rather a short brake life, did you inspect the old pads?
The CIC sytem seems to be a little eager for demanding a rearbrake pad service.....

Any new information about replacing brake pads on 2011 F10 550i yourself? Is ti confirmed that rears need dealer installation due to electronic parking brake?

It seems that way. Not only BMW dealers can do the job. Any garage with Bosch obd management tools can retract the brakes electronically and thus do the changes. This appareil costs around 4000 euro and comes with an annual update requirementt of a couple of hundred. So it is not worth it for just one or two cars.
I would love to find a cheaper solution and do it myself, until now without succes. Rear brake indicator at 70k kms indicate still 11k to go, time is running out.

Today rear brake pads were changed successfully. Very easy and takes max 1 hour for my first replacement in my BMW 530d Xdrive. In a few words I ditached EMF brake actuator by unscrewing two small torx bolts and remove it from caliper. Then you need turn counterclockwise splined hole until filling a stop. So, now caliper piston can be pushed back in by common tool. Installing pads, wear sensor (right side) and mount back this actuator. Finally you have to on and off parking brake to set EMF brake in working position. So, all work correct - Parking Brake and Auto Hold.
I will prepare detailed DIY with pictures and TIS sheets soon. Need find time. Sorry for English.